Marysvale Read Free Page B

understandable. Don’t
give them too much thought. Most folks around here know they are
started by people who don’t like you—and aren’t much liked
themselves, actually.”
    “ Why do they do it?” I
wondered aloud.
    He shrugged. “Evil doesn’t need a
reason. It is what it is.”
    I thought about that for a moment and
then asked, “What about the others? Won’t they mind if I
go?”
    “ We’ve already discussed
inviting you. They’re all in favor of it.”
    “ Is there an excuse I can
give that will get me out of it?”
    He let out a hearty laugh. “You’re a
smart enough lad; I’m sure you’ll think of something sooner or
later.”
    His chuckle made me grin. “Yes, but
it’s probably not worth the effort. If I were a betting man, I’d
wager you have at least my next three excuses already
covered.”
    “ Aye, at least.”
    It sounded good to leave Syre, if only
for a short time. Perhaps even strengthen some friendships that I
would desperately need if I were to survive a confrontation with
Mr. Martin.
    “ All right, let me know
where you plan on going and I’ll catch up with you as soon as I’m
finished at Widow Snow’s.”
    He gave me the information and, even
though we never got around to tea, I thanked him anyway and
left.
    Needing supplies, I stopped by the
general store and then set off for home. I hadn’t traveled far when
I heard someone running up behind me. I turned and noticed a short,
squat figure of a man, waving his stubby arms. He tried yelling
something; but all that came out was a garbled wheeze. The image of
a comical pig floated into my mind.
    Eventually, the governor of Syre drew
up next to me. He heaved over in exhaustion, bracing his hands on
his knees, as sweat trickled down his brow. I paused, allowing him
time to catch his breath.
    Still breathing hard, he finally
panted, “My boy, you walk too fast.”
    “ What can I do for you,
sir?” I asked stiffly.
    Even though he had been decent to me, I
had never really liked the man. He was only concerned about himself
and those who put him in power—many of whom were the same ones
starting the rumors about me.
    “ Get right to the crux of
it, don’t you my boy.”
    “ Yes, sir.”
    He drew himself upright and dabbed at
his brow with a handkerchief.
    “ Well then, since you’re in
a hurry…I need your expertise with a sick animal.”
    Caring for animals and training horses
was my bread and butter.
    “ Today? There’s only a
half-hour of good daylight left. It will take longer than that just
to get to your farm.”
    “ No, no, of course not,” he
said with a little laugh that was more from habit than humor.
“Tomorrow, I think, will be fine.”
    “ I’m afraid I can’t
tomorrow, sir. I promised Mr. Shepherd I’d go hunting with
him.”
    “ Yes, of course you are.
I’ve heard all about that and I’ve already stopped by and squared
it with him. He understands you’ll be helping me tomorrow and will
rendezvous with him the following day.”
    I groaned inwardly, irritated that he
took it upon himself to arrange my schedule. I started to
protest.
    “ My dear boy,” he
interrupted. “I’d consider it a personal favor. I’ll pay you double
your usual; and I’ve already worked it out so Thomas Martin can
come help you.”
    “ You did?” I asked
incredulously.
    “ Yes. You see, it’s the
pregnant one, and I really can’t afford to lose both the cow and
the calf. So, you simply must come.”
    You most definitely could afford to
lose it,
I thought. There was deceit in his eyes. He probably
meant to get out of paying me double. Had I taken a moment longer
to look into his soul, I would have realized his true intent and
what a dire mistake it would be not to leave with the hunting
party. But I was too irritated with him to argue and knew, if I
turned him down, I’d have to go back and work things out again with
Mr. Shepherd. Plus, I’d have to walk all the way over to the
Martin’s and tell Thomas he wasn’t